Mystery Enfield??????????

[Simon]

Folks,

A friend of mine has sent me the following pics.

Anybody got any ideas as to what it is

Cheers,

Simon.

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Information

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[Peter Laidler]

Wasn't that the prototype of the emergency rifle, like the Faulkner Bren, to be manufactured should the Boche arrive uninvited in 1940

[Simon]

Peter,

Do you have an example in the Weapons Collection?

Cheers,

Simon.

[enfield303t]

Wasn't that the prototype of the emergency rifle, like the Faulkner Bren, to be manufactured should the Boche arrive uninvited in 1940

So Peter was the design easier to manufacture or what? Please tell us more.

I must say I would really like to get my hands on one.

[Peter Laidler]

We don't have one but we have a BESAL/Faulkner Bren.

[breakeyp]

This is very different from the BSA simplified rifle I have and the other one I have seen at the Pattern Room.

[RJW NZ]

Wow, thats something neat you don't see every day. How rare/collectible/valuable is it?

[Peter Laidler]

It was just a suggestion Paul but there are similarities don't you think?

[Roger Payne]

Thanks Simon. Your friend sent them to me as well, but I must admit I've no idea about it. Just to my untrained eye it does not really look to me as though it would be appreciably quicker/easier to make than a standard SMLE; many of the parts are existing SMLE or modified SMLE anyway. And the nose cap does not look any easier to make than a conventional SMLE version...Most odd. It reminds me a little of those SMLE/Mauser hybrids the Turks made out of captured rifles. But yes, I must also admit it looks a little reminiscent of PB's rifle.....but rather LESS simplified.

ATB

[Bruce_in_Oz]

I can't see any date stamps in the available pix, it may be "Kosher", it may be quite old, or of somewhat more recent manufacture.

My notes are:

It looks to be based on a Lee Enfield Rifle, not a SMLE.

Note the retention of the volley sights.

The band for the piling swivel looks a bit "Lee Enfield rifle"

The distinctive "hammerhead" shape of the safety lever looks like the early Mk1 Lee Metford pattern.
The cocking piece has a "Mk1 Metford" flavour.

The odd-shaped charger guide held on with slot-head screws.

The very odd profile of the lower surface of the butt socket.

The butt socket appears deeper and appears to be machined completely differently at the front face.

The rear-sight protector "ears" seem to be shorter than on a "proper" SMLE. Given that the Mk1 SMLE and it trials predecessor used "ears' built into the handguard, this feature is definitely odd.

The front sight protector is integral with the nosecap/bayonet standard but there is no indication of whether blade or barleycorn, nor of adjustment method (if any).

What is also interesting is that the bayonet adapter is similar in shape to those used on the US "trench guns" of the 12gauge pump persuasion. Question for the owner: does it take a SMLE bayonet or an Arisaka bayonet - the "inspiration" for the '07 sword-bayonet?

The profile of the magazine case is of a much later style.

Maybe this is a very exotic Khyber-Pass special.